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O 152246Z JUL 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 
INFO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS STATE 073798 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC PREL TH ASEAN KTIA
SUBJECT: INTENT TO ACCEDE TO THE TREATY OF AMITY AND 
COOPERATION 
 
¶1. (U)  The Secretary of State on July 15, 2009, signed 
the Diplomatic Note below informing ASEAN of the 
intention of the United States to accede to the Treaty of 
Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).  Please 
deliver this message to Foreign Minister Kasit, in his 
capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, as 
soon as possible.  Thailand will inform other ASEAN 
members so they can undertake their domestic processes to 
consent to U.S. accession.  The Secretary expects to 
participate in the accession ceremony on July 22, 2009, 
during the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Phuket, Thailand. 
Signed original will follow. 
 
¶2. (U) Begin Text: 
 
Excellency: 
 
I have the honor to refer to the Treaty of Amity and 
Cooperation in Southeast Asia, done at Denpasar, Bali, 
Indonesia, on February 24, 1976, as amended, (the Treaty), 
and am pleased to inform you that the Government of the 
United States of America has decided to accede to the 
Treaty in accordance with Article 18. 
 
The Government of the United States greatly appreciates 
the assistance it has derived from the discussions that 
U.S. officials have had with ASEAN counterparts regarding 
the Treaty.  The U.S. Government, upon acceding to the 
Treaty, has the further honor to make the following 
statements.  The Treaty will not apply to, or affect, U.S. 
relationships with states outside of Southeast Asia.  The 
United States' accession to the Treaty does not affect 
the United States' rights and obligations under other 
bilateral or multilateral agreements, and, noting Article 
10, does not limit actions taken by the United States 
that it considers necessary to address a threat to its 
national interests.  The Treaty will be interpreted in 
conformity with the United Nations Charter, and the 
United States' accession does not affect the United 
States' rights and obligations arising from the Charter 
of the United Nations. 
 
I have the further honor to note that the United States' 
accession to the Treaty, which supports the integrity of 
the Treaty's purpose to promote perpetual peace, 
everlasting amity and cooperation among the peoples of 
the High Contracting Parties, will further strengthen our 
substantive ties with ASEAN. 
 
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
 
His Excellency Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs 
of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chairman of the ASEAN 
Coordinating Council,Bangkok. 
 
End Text. 
 
 
¶3. (U) The United States expects to receive the following 
response from Thailand on behalf of ASEAN when the 
members have concluded their processes: 
 
4: (U) Begin Text: 
 
Excellency, 
 
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your 
Diplomatic Note dated July 15, 2009, expressing the 
Government of the United States' desire and readiness to 
accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 
Southeast Asia. 
 
In this connection, I have the further honor in my 
capacity as Chairman of ASEAN, to inform you that, after 
having considered your aforesaid Diplomatic note, all the 
States Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 
Southeast Asia have given their consent to the accession 
to the Treaty by the Government of the United States and 
have noted that the statements of the Government of the 
United States are expressed on a non-prejudice basis to 
the integrity and the object and purpose of the Treaty of 
Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. 
 
I have the honor to note with satisfaction that the 
Government of the United States' accession to the Treaty 
would contribute to the promotion of peace, security, 
stability and cooperation in the region and in the world 
as well as it will further enhance substantive relations 
between ASEAN and the United States. 
 
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Her Excellency Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State 
of the United States of America,Washington. 
 
End text. 
 
 
CLINTON